Which of the following is a function of the cell cycle?

The cell cycle is a series of phases that a cell goes through to grow and replicate. One of its primary functions is to ensure proper cell growth and the accurate duplication of DNA before a cell divides. During the interphase stage of the cell cycle, specifically in the S phase (synthesis phase), the cell's DNA is replicated so that when the cell eventually divides, each daughter cell will receive an exact copy of the DNA. This process is critical for maintaining genetic continuity across generations of cells.

In contrast, while protein synthesis, photosynthesis, and cell communication are essential biological processes, they do not directly relate to the specific functions of the cell cycle. Protein synthesis involves the creation of proteins from amino acids based on the instructions encoded in DNA, whereas photosynthesis is a process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy. Cell communication refers to how cells interact and send signals to each other, which is important for coordinating activities but is not a primary function of the cell cycle itself. Thus, the focus on cell growth and DNA replication accurately captures the essential functions of the cell cycle.